Chemistry 324

Quantitative Analysis Course Information

General

Chemistry 324 Important Course Information

Meeting times:

Section 1 8:00 am - 12:20 pm Tuesday and Thursday

Section 2 12:30 am 4:50 pm Tuesday and Thursday
Students must run experiments and take exams during their designated lab section times.
Meeting place:
Room 309 Gilbert Addition
What you should do for the first day:
1. Go to the OSU Bookstore and purchase a lab notebook and textbook.
Text Book: Daniel C. Harris, Quantitative Chemical Analysis (Current Ed.)
Lab notebook. A permanently bound (not spiral bound) laboratory notebook with
consecutively numbered pages is required. We recommend National #43-571. You may use
other notebooks, including used ones, as long as they meet the requirements on page vi of the
Laboratory Experiments. You must have your lab notebook before beginning lab work.
2. Proper lab attire is required for check-in:
Even on the first day proper lab attire is mandatory. All students must wear closed shoes
and be dressed such that there is absolutely no exposed skin below the waist. Shirts must have
sleeves and no tights of any type are allowed. Goggles and lab coats are mandatory in all OSU
chemistry labs. If you do not have them, we will sell them on the first day of class.
3. General Information
Description of the course
CH 324 is a basic laboratory course in modern instrumental chemical analysis. The course
is unlike almost any other course at OSU: there are no lectures and the laboratory is self-paced
with two intermediate deadlines. The lab sections are open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00
12:20 and 12:30 4:50. Students may only work during their lab section, during these hours.
Students will schedule their activities during these times, to finish 10 experiments. You should
not have any other classes scheduled during your lab time.
The course work consists of 10 laboratory experiments, 13 homework sets, and 3 in-class
tests. There are 2 deadlines in the middle of the term for making adequate progress on
completing homework and laboratory experiments. The course work is described in more detail
below, followed by a summary of the grading on page 5.
Laboratory Experiments
There are 10 laboratory experiments; be prepared to start experiment #1 on
the first day if time allows. All experimental procedures and data collection must be
done individually, with no sharing of solutions or data between students. Failure to follow
this rule will result in immediate dismissal from the course. For each experiment you will be
issued a sample of unknown analyte concentration and asked to determine the concentration
within a predetermined tolerance. If your answer is within the acceptable tolerance, you receive
credit for that experiment and move on to the next experiment. If the value you submit is not
within the acceptable tolerance, you have one chance to check your calculations and resubmit an
answer. Except for experiment #2, you are limited to the submission of 2 ANSWERS PER
UNKNOWN. If you have already submitted 2 incorrect answers for an unknown you MUST
RESTART THE EXPERIMENT WITH A NEW UNKNOWN. Other than experiment 2, you
will be issued A MAXIMUM OF 3 UNKNOWNS. If you have not found the correct answer by
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the 3 unknown, you will receive a ZERO FOR THE EXPERIMENT. Each laboratory
experiment is worth 10 points and there are 10 experiments for a total of 100 points.
Order of experiments:
You must pass the open-book safety test before you begin any
laboratory work.
Next, you must pass all three parts of Experiment #1, as it
tests skills necessary for all the other experiments.
Next, you must pass Experiment #2.
After you have passed the first two experiments, you may do the remaining experiments in
any order. Most experiments require access to expensive equipment which is in constant demand.
Some instruments may be available only at certain times - check the bulletin board for schedules.
Use the sign-up sheets to reserve an instrument for your use at a specific time. There are no
experiments which require more than 45 minutes of instrument time, but be sure to allow time for
solution preparation when reserving time for an instrument. You may only sign up for one 45
minute block of instrument time. If you sign up for more than one block, your name will be
removed from all time blocks. You may NOT sign up for time or run experiments during the
other sections lab time. Failure to follow this rule will result in the deduction of 10 course
points for each offense. Please respect your fellow students and their schedules.
NOTE: Some standard solutions and unknowns are unstable and MUST be run the day
that theyre made. Others are stable for weeks. The second line in every experimental write-up,
just under the title, is a statement letting you know if the solutions are stable and may be carried
over between lab periods.
WARNING: On the last day of class all instrumentation will be shut down at an
hour before the end of the lab section, allowing students time to calculate their last
unknown values and check out.
Lab Notebooks. You must maintain an experimental record in a
permanently bound notebook that has numbered pages. Use ink for these
records. All data and calculations are made directly in your lab notebook.
There will be NO use of scratch paper for any purpose. To pass experiments
your laboratory notebook must be filled out properly, including the recording
of all data and observations, and a concise summary of the calculations
made. Make sure the calculations and results are clearly presented in an
orderly way. If you make a correction in your notebook, draw a single line
through the error; do not erase or scratch out the error; a single line allows
you to read an "error" that you later decide is not an error. Other than the
first two pages for a table of contents leave no blank pages. You are
required to have three inspections of your notebook during the term.
rd

Text Readings and Homework Assignments

All of
the
course
homework
is submitted
on
line at
www.webassign.net. Starting on Wednesday, youll be able to log onto
Webassign. Your user name = onid user name, Institution =
oregonstate (one word lower case), and Password = student ID# (no
dashes). There are 13 homework assignments based on selected sections
of Chapters 0-5, 8, 14, 15, 17-21, 23-25, and 28 of the textbook. The specific
sections that wed like you to read in each chapter are shown in the table
below. Attempting the homework questions before reading the sections in
each chapter will probably waste a considerable amount of time. Attempting
experiments in the lab before youve read the relevant material in Harris will
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Chemistry 324

Quantitative Analysis Course Information

General

also probably result in unnecessarily repeating experiments. For webassign

please note:
If there is a box with a blue 4.0 next to the question you must
report the correct number of significant figures.
If the box is not present, then always report at least 3 significant
figures or you will round yourself outside of the accuracy window.
In webassign and Excel scientific notation is ALWAYS in the format
5.23E-3
Complete instructions for using Webassign and grading of the
homework assignments are posted on Blackboard in the Course Information
folder. The Intro to Webassign exercise does not count as one of the
homework assignments. For most of the homework problems there are
audio tutorials posted on Black Board. Most students find these tutorials
very helpful. Regardless of your lab section you are allowed to seek
homework help any time during normal lab hours, 8 am 5 pm.
You will have 3 attempts to answer all of the questions correctly.
Producing a correct answer on the first attempt will give you 100% of the
problem point total. A correct answer on the second attempt is worth 90%, a
correct answer on the 3rd attempt is worth 80%, and then the grade is zero.
If you havent gotten the correct answer after 2 attempts, we
strongly recommend that you discuss the problem with the course
instructor or a TA. The homework is worth a total of 65 course points.
The first five chapters in the text (0 - 5) are the core chapters
on the Analytical Process and should be completed early in the
course.
HW Unit
1
1
2
2
3
4
5
5
6
6
7
8
9
10
10
11
12
13

7th Edition Chapter

0 Analytical Process
1 Measurements
2 Tools
3 Error
4 Stats
5 QA and Calibration
8 Activity
14 E-Chem
15 Potentiometry
17 Amperometry
18 Basic Spectroscopy
19 Applied Spectroscopy
20 Spec HW
21 AA
23 Separations
24 GC
25 HPLC
28 Spl Prep

Sections
2
All
1-8, 11
1-3
8, 9
All
2, 3
1, 4
2, 4-6
4
1-5
5
Intro, 2, 3
1, 4
1-3
1-3
1, 2
Intro, 2, 3

8th Edition Chapter

0 Analytical Process
1 Measurements
2 Tools
3 Error
4 Stats
5 QA and Calibration
7 Activity
13 E-Chem
14 Potentiometry
16 Amperometry
17 Basic Spectroscopy
18 Applied Spectroscopy
19 Spec HW
20 AA
22 Separations
23 GC
24 HPLC
27 Spl Prep

Exams
There are 3 exams based on material in the book, labs and the
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Chemistry 324

Quantitative Analysis Course Information

General

Laboratory Manual Appendix. Representative exam questions are in the Laboratory

Manual Appendix, pp. 71-78. Exam 1 & 2 questions are submitted online through the WebAssign
system from the computers in the CH324 testing area in GBAD 309 during regular lab hours.
Complete instructions for using WebAssign and grading of the exams are posted on
Blackboard in the Course Information folder. Exam 3 questions will be administered
in the CH324 testing area and hand graded.
When you are ready to attempt a WebAssign exam question, you will present your sign-in
sheet to be given access to a computer in the CH 324 testing area. If you answer a question
correctly, you will receive 2 course points. If not, you may re-try other versions of the question
up to a maximum of three attempts. We strongly suggest that you discuss an incorrect answer
with the course instructor or TA. If you have not answered the question correctly in three
attempts, you will not receive any credit for that question. Entry to the testing area ends at 20
minutes before the end of the lab section, and all questions must be finished by the scheduled end
of the lab section. Your final grades on the exams depend on the number of questions for which
you receive credit by the deadlines for completing the exams, which are listed below.
Exam #1 has 4 WebAssign questions, 3 versions each. You will be
allowed 30 minutes for each attempt. If all of the computers are in use and students are
waiting you are limited to 1 hour, and then go to the back of the waiting list. Each question is
worth 2 points for a maximum of 8 points for Exam #1. For all of the test problems, there are
audio tutorials posted on Black Board. Most students find these tutorials very helpful.
Exam #2 has 4 WebAssign questions, 3 versions each. You will be
allowed 30 minutes for each attempt. If all of the computers are in use and students are
waiting you are limited to 1 hour, and then go to the back of the waiting list. Each question is
worth 2 points for a maximum of 8 points for Exam #2. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE STUDIED
ION SELECTIVE ELECTRODES BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY PROBLEMS. For the
first 3 test problems, there are audio tutorials posted on Black Board. Most students find these
tutorials very helpful.
Exam #3 has 8 written TOPIC areas based on the instruments used
during the course of the experiments. Each topic area consists of multiple
questions and often requires a block diagram of the instrument. All
questions on the topic must be correctly answered to receive credit. Each topic
is worth 3 points with a maximum of 9 points (3 topics passed) for Exam #3.
Exam #1 Opens Tues of week 3, Closes End of Class Thurs of week # 5
Four question covering:
1. Concentration unit conversions
2. Preparation of standard solutions
3. Dilutions
4. Titration and concentration calculations involving stoichiometry

Points

Total
Exam #2 Opens Tues of week 6, Closes End of Class Thurs of week # 8
Review ion selective electrodes before starting exam 2.
Four question covering:
1. Data plotting and analysis
2. Standard additions
3. Standard additions with finite volumes
4. Sample treatment, calculations of detection limits, % recovery,
and standard addition calibration curves
Total
Exam #3 Opens Tues of week 8, Closes End of Class Thurs
Oregon State University

Department of Chemistry

2
2
2
2
8

2
2
2
2
8
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Chemistry 324

Quantitative Analysis Course Information

General

of week # 10
Questions for the 3rd exam deal with the instrumentation youve
been using. You will be expected to answer basic questions about
how the instruments work, and be able to draw a block diagram
of how the instruments work. Youll be allowed to pick your test
topic. The areas (each worth 3 points) you may choose from are;
GC
HPLC
AA
Fluorescence
UV/Visible Spectroscopy
Potentiometry

Amperometric Biosensors
Sampling

Progress Points
Progress points will be added to your grade as an incentive and
reward for making steady progress in the course (that is, not putting
everything off until the last minute). Please note: the Web Assign Tutorial
DOES NOT COUNT as a homework assignment. These points are based on
the number of homework assignments and labs for which you have received
credit for (not attempted) by the following deadlines:
Deadline 1 for Labs and Homework - End of week 3,
Friday at 11:59 PM
Homework Credited
# of Labs
PROGRESS
Credited
POINTS
30% of total HW points
4
5
20% of total HW points
3
3
10% of total HW points
2
1
Deadline 2 for Labs and Homework - End of week 6, Friday
at 11:59 PM
Homework Credited
# of Labs
PROGRESS
Credited
POINTS
60% of total HW points
7
5
50% of total HW points
6
3
40% of total HW points
5
1
Summary of Grading for CH 324
Item
Laboratory experiments
Homework assignments based on text by Harris
Exam 1 - Web Assign questions
Exam 2 - Web Assign questions
Exam 3 Instrument questions
Progress Points at Deadline #1
Progress Points at Deadline #2
Total for course
A
190200
C+
154Oregon State University

A180189
C
146-

B+
174179
C140-

Number of
assignments
10
13
4
4
3

B
166173
D+
134-

Department of Chemistry

Points
each
10
2
2
3
5
5

Total
Points
100
65
8
8
9
5
5
200

B160165
D
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159

153

145

139

General

133

A Winning Strategy
Be sure you understand the grading criteria, and be sure to work
efficiently throughout the term. The homework assignments, exams and the
laboratory experiments for this course are separate but related. The Harris
chapters contain information which will help you perform well on your
experiments and will help you pass the exams. It is a good policy for you to
do as much as possible in this course during the first several weeks.
The 10 laboratory experiments are not all of the same degree of difficulty.
Many are challenging and require that you be very well organized and utilize
your very best laboratory technique. You are advised to prepare thoroughly
before beginning the experiments.
We do have the occasional (exceptional) student finish the
experiments in 4 weeks (always with an A). Being ahead in CH324
when you have mid-terms in other courses is advantageous. Although there
are 10 experiments listed for the course, most students end up doing 15-18
experiments, and its not uncommon to find students doing more than 20
experiments. This is because there is no partial credit for merely completing
the lab. Either you get the correct answer and the full 10 points, or you get
the wrong answer and 0 points. Since you are allowed to repeat the
experiments 3 times, the initial penalty for a wrong answer is wasted time. It
is, however, very easy to waste time. On average you should plan time into
your schedule for repeating about half the labs.
The good news is that the course is self paced. The bad news is that the course is self
paced. You can work at your own pace, but you still must meet the two deadlines to earn 10 of
the possible 200 course points used to determine your grade. Do not be seduced into being lax in
your efforts by the lack of a specific hour-by-hour schedule for class meetings and lab periods.
This is a difficult course and you must be disciplined, organized, and industrious if you are to do
well.
You may develop your own strategy but consider the following; A
successful strategy for many students is to complete 3 homework
assignments for the core chapters by the end of the first week, 6
assignments for the core chapters by the end of the 2nd week and 7
assignments at the beginning of the 3rd week. This strategy is sound for
two reasons. First, this ensures that you will not be penalized at the end of
the 3rd week for not having completed 30% of the assignments point total.
Second, the first five core chapters provide much of the background
necessary to understand the experiments. It is also best if you complete at
least 4 experiments in the first three weeks if you are going for a high grade.
A word on the homework; If you have attempted the same
problem 2 times and gotten it wrong, get thee to a course instructor
or a TA to receive some tutoring. This is where the teaching part of
the course happens. If you come to the instructor after youve used
up all 3 answers for a question, game over.
The same thing for the tests; If youve missed a test question,
write down the problem and then find the instructor or a TA to teach
how to do the problem. Thats why we give you the extra tries.
During the term from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays an instructor (Dr.
Neal Sleszynski or other faculty member) and several teaching assistants (TA's) will be ready to
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Chemistry 324

Quantitative Analysis Course Information

General

help you with explanations, examples, demonstrations, to issue you samples for analysis, to
answer your questions, to resolve minor problems, and to give you guidance. The lab will be
open regular times during dead week. There will be no laboratory sessions or tests during
finals week.
Record of Progress in CH 324
At the progress points and test deadlines, a summary of your grades
will be accessible on Black Board. Any questions on the official record should
be directed to;
Dr. Neal Sleszynski.
Gilbert 231
neal.sleszynski@oregonstate.edu

Oregon State University

541-737-6761

Department of Chemistry

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Chemistry 324

Quantitative Analysis Course Information

General

CH 324 LABORATORY Check-in Procedure

1.

You will be issued a key for your locker and a yellow check-in sheet by
a CH 324 staff member. You will be asked to sign the locker list
indicating that you have received your key and showing what items
you are purchasing (goggles, lab coat, lab manual and WebAssign
access etc.). There is a standard $44 lab fee for chemicals consumed
during the course of your lab experiments. Included with this fee is
breakage deductible insurance. It reduces the bill on all expensive
breakages (>$10 replacement cost, such as glass electrodes, syringes,
burettes, volumetric flasks, etc.) to a $10.00 deductible per item.
Note :

If you don't already have a pair of indirectly vented

safety goggles, buy a pair at this time. (If you have a pair
from another class, check with an instructor to see if they
meet our safety standards).

2.

Locate your locker and check to see that it contains the apparatus
listed on the Check-in Sheet and that the apparatus is in good
condition. Be sure to check the tips on all pipets. Note any missing,
seriously chipped or broken apparatus on the Check-in Sheet. Then
contact a CH 324 staff member who will sign the list enabling you to
obtain or exchange the apparatus. If you do not catch a broken or
missing piece of apparatus at this time, you will be responsible
for replacing it at the end of the term. If the instructor decides
that the condition of the apparatus is satisfactory and you doubt it,
you may protect yourself by describing the apparatus' condition in
writing on the Check-in Sheet and having the instructor sign it.

3.

Check with a CH 324 staff member for the procedure to replace

missing or damaged items. Free replacements are only available the
first week of class.

4.

After you are satisfied that your locker contains all the equipment on the list and that it is
all in good condition sign the bottom of the yellow check-in sheet and return it to a CH
324 staff member.

Other charges: The lab manual is produced at OSU, which saves you money over a commercially
produced book. The following are additional charges that will apply;
Lab manual, handouts and Webassign Fees:
Goggles
Lab coat

$63
$6
$4

(you may supply your own)

(you may supply your own)

WARNING: Even if you withdraw from or drop the course, you must formally check-out
your locker (see the "Lab Experiments" handout) before the end of the
quarter. Failure to do so will cost you $45.00 plus a key charge of $10.00,
plus the cost to replace any missing, broken, or exceptionally dirty glassware.

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